Lubricating device.



PATENTED DEC. 13, 1904. B. E. CAMPBELL & J. BERG.

LUBRIOATING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 25,1903.

2 SHEETS-EHEET l.

N0 MODEL.

y ...C f5? le v0 No. 777,596. PATENTED DEU. 13, 1904. B. F. CAMPBELL dz J. BERG.

LUBRIUATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25,1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

NO MODEL.

Ninn STATns Patented December 13, 1904.

Arnivir trice.

BENJAMIN F. CAMPBELL AND JOSEPH BERG, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKAN- SAS, ASSIGNORS TO CAMPBELL GRAPHITE LUBRICATOR COMPANY, OF

LlTTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

LUBFHCATING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 777,596, dated December 13, 1904. Application filed July 25, 1903. Serial No. 166,957. No model.)

To n/Z whom, ibm/ty concern.'

Beit known that we, BENJAMIN F. imitrnuLL and Jos urn Bene, citizens of the lUnited States, residing' at Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating' Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to lubricating devices of the general type set forth in our prior patent, No. T30, 814, for applying graphite or other desired charactor of lubricant to the moving parts in a steam-chest or cylinder of a steam-engine, the object of the present invention being in gen eral to provide an automatically-aeting device of efficient and simple construction which upon the exhaust-stroke of the parts to be lubricated will act to supply a desired quantity of lubricant and upon the working or steam-pressure stroke will automatically operate to shut ott the supply of lubricant and close the connection to the lubricant reservoir or cup.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in connection with the character of automatic lubricator above set forth, means whereby a supply of lubricant, such as oil, may be furnished at desired times in addition to or independent from the supply intended to be furnished by the said automatic device. i

With these general objects in view our invention consists of the parts andv combinations, as will hereinafter more fully appear and be deiinitely set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a lubricating' device embodying our invention, the parts being shown in position for supplying lubricant from the lu bricant-chamber to the parts to be lubricated. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in position for closing communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated and opening communication between the lubricant-chamber and the reservoir or cup, and Fig. 3 is a like sectional View show ing a slightlymiodiiied form of device.

In the drawings, A represents any usual or preferred form etI reservoir or cup for holding a suitable lubricantmsuch, for instance, as graphite, oil, or the likensaid reservoir or cup being provided with a cap or cover A, suitably connected thereto, as by screw-threads zi or other desired means. EX- 55 tended from the lower portion of the reservoir or cup is the tube B, provided with reduced and enlarged portions, the latter4 forming a passage-way and having screw-thread connection with a suitable coupling B', to be 60 hereinafter described, by which the device may be properly secured to the steam-chest, cylinder, or other part of a steam or other engine.

Contained within the tube B, so as to be movable longitudinally, is the plunger, designated as a whole by C and comprising two pistons or heads c c', connected by a stem or other suitable connection c, whereby the pistons or heads c o are made to move in unison. 7 O The upper piston or head c' moves in the reduced upper portion of the tube B, extended from the lower portion of the reservoir or cup A, and between the two pistons or heads c c of the plunger is formed the lubricant-chamber c, preferably formed by reducing the size or diameter of the main body of the steln c2, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 2. The lower piston or head c, rigidly connected to the stem c, is formed with passage-ways c SO therethrough, and the lower walls c of the combined passage-way are formed as a valveseat for a movable valve l), provided with a valve-stem nl, projecting into a suitable recess c in the main stem c, a pin ZQ passing S5 through the main stem el, and a slot Z2 in the valve-stern permitting said valve to have lirnited movement with relation to the lower piston or head c. The lower piston or head o is providedv with a series of packing-rings c7 to 90 form a close sliding tit between the inner wall of the tube B and the said lower piston or head c, to thereby etlectually prevent any steam or other pressure `from escaping into the reservoir or cup A on the pressure er working Stroke of the engine.

Projecting upward from the main stem of rthe plunger C and into the reservoir or cup A is the guide-rod E, which passes through an aperture e in a skeleton frame e, detachably connected to the interior of the reservoir or cup A, as by means of screw-threads @2, the said guide-rod being' surrounded by a spring F, which at one end bears upon the under side of the skeleton frame c and at its other end upon the upper surface of the upper piston or head c, thereby acting as a means to normally hold the plung'er in its lowered position, as shown in Fig. 1, with the upper piston or head c', in the reduced upper portion of the tube B, thus interrupting communication between the reservoir or cup A and the said tube.

From the construction thus far described it will be apparent that the normal position of the parts when not acted on by an extraneous force, as the pressure` is that indicated in.

Fig. lfthat is to say, the plunger is in its lowered position, with piston or head c closing communication between the reservoir and tube B and the lubricant-chamber o* in the position indicated, so that while it does not receive a supply of lubricant it is free to discharge any lubricant it may contain into the enlarged portion or passage-way of the tube B, the lubricant at such times passing downward through the perforations 05 in the lower piston or head c and past the valve D, said valve at such time being open by virtue of its weight, and then said lubricant is free to pass to the parts to be lubricated. Upon the Working or pressure stroke of the engine and when steam or other Huid is free to pass into the tube B it will act at once upon the valve D to seat the same upon the lower piston or head, thus e'ectually shutting off communication between the parts to be lubricated and the lubricant-chamber c* by closing the opening through the lower piston or head c. The steam or other iiuid pressure then acts upon the lower piston or head and raises the entire plunger against the spring F or other means, thus carrying' the upper piston or head c into the reservoir or cup A and placing the lubricant-chamber cAl in communication with the reservoir or cup A to receive a charge of lubricant therefrom, the main body of the stem c2 at such times entering the opening I) and preventing the lubricant from passing below the lubricant-chamber, all as shown in Fig. 2. On the exhaust-stroke, when steam or other fluid pressure is relieved from action on the lower piston or head c, the spring F will return the plunger to the position shown in Fig. l, the valve D will drop from its seat, and communication be opened through said valve between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated.

In order to enhance the action of the lubricant in passing to the parts to be lubricated, the tube B is provided with an air-chamber B2, having inlet-holes L' for the passage of air into and through said air-chamber, the position of said chamber and inlet-holes with relation to the lubricant-chamber when the latter is in position to discharge the lubricant to the parts to be lubricated beingsuch that the suction action of the engine will cause the aircurrents to assist' the lubricant in passing through the lower piston or head c and thence to the steam-chest, cylinder, or other part, as will be obvious.

It is desirable that the movement of the plunger C shall be limited to cause a proper positioning of the parts, as indicated in Figs. l and 2, and, as described, during the working of the engine, and to this end the tube B is provided with a stop or flange b2, against which the lower head or piston strikes as it moves upward under fluid-pressure, the downward movement of the piston being limited by the upper surface 530i" the coupling B', as will be clear from Figs. l and 2, which show the plunger at the limit of its two movements.

Under some conditions it is desirable to be able to supply lubricant to the parts to be lubricated in addition to that furnished by the device described or at times when from any cause lubricant is not supplied by said device, and to this end the tube B at its lower portion and beyond the path of movement of the plunger is provided with a projection G, having a channel-way g, said projection being adapted for connection with suitable means leading to the cab of the locomotive or other engine, where a supply oil lubricant and Huid-pressure may be furnished as desired, and in order that this auxiliary means may be employed in conjunction with the automatic lubricating device described the coupling B is provided, it having formed on its exterior wall a screwthread connection if' with the interior or' the tube B. The coupling Bl between its upper and lower ends has formed in its exterior wall a groove or channel b5, communicating with the channel-way g of projection G, and leading from the groove or channel f are a series of holes bs. Thus it will be evident that alubricant being supplied to the channel-way g as indicated will be carried as a spray to the parts to be lubricated either in addition to the lubricant Jfurnished by the automatic device described or independent of any supply therefrom.

ln Fig. 3 is shown a slightly-modified form of certain parts of the device to indicate that changes may be made in some of the details without departing from the spirit of the invention, In said figure the reservoir or cup A is shown as having a screw-thread connection with the tube B, said reservoir or cup having extended upward therein a guide sleeve or tube H, provided near its lower part with a series of holes or perforations lt, and extended upward into said tube H is the upper piston or head cX, a lubricant-chamber cJX IOC IIO

being formed in the stem 02X of the plunger l tended therefrom and having' an enlarg'ed p01'- below said upper piston or head, the said upper head or piston c/X moving in said guidesleeve H to open and close communication between the reservoir or cup and the lubricant-chamber through the holes /a Extending' upward from the plunger is the guide-rod H, which passes through the cap H2 upon the upper end of the guide-tube H, and surrounding said g'uide-rod H is a spring H3, disposed between the cap H2 and the upper surface ot the upper piston or head c' to normally act to press the plunger to its lowest position and close communication between the reservoir or cup and the lubricant-chamber 04X, suitable packing-rings /t' being used about the upper piston or head to form a tight iit. In order to eifectually close communication between the lubricant-chamber and the lower piston or head in this construction, a portion if of the stem oi' the plunger is made oi' a diameter to enter the lower end of the tube H, and a shoulder 7a3 is formed on the stem to engag'e the lower end of the tube, as will be clear from Fig. 3. Extending' into a suitable socket in the stem 02X is the valve guide-rod h4, having a slot 72,5, which engages a pin A to limit the movement of valve D-with respect to the lower piston or head c of the plunger. The cap or cover AX may have a suitable socket portion /tl to permit the proper rise of the rod HQ if desired.

It will be evident that changes ot' form, size, and disposition oit' the parts may be va- 4ried within the scope of the invention, which comprises as its essential features a plunger having` two pistons or heads, one to control the entrance of lubricant to the lubricantchamber formed within itselfl and the other provided with means to control the passage of lubricant from the lubricant-chamber to the parts to be lubricated.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pate'nt, is

l. .ln a lubricating device, the reservoir or cup i'or holding' a suitable lubricant, a tube extended therefrom and having an enlarged portion or passage-way, a plunger movable in said tube, and provided with two pistons and a lubricant-chamber exterior of said plunger, one of said pistons controlling the flow of lubricant to the lubricantchamber, and the other of said pistons provided with a valve movable with respect thereto for controlling the liow of lubricant from the lubricant-chamber to the parts to be lubricated, whereby as one of said pistons closes communication between the reservoir or cup and the lubricant chamber, the said valve moves with respect to the other piston to open communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated.

In a lubricating' device, the reservoir or cup for holding a suitable lubricant, a tube extion or passage-way, a plunger movable in said tube and provided with two pistons rigidlyT connected thereto and a lubricant-clnun ber exterior of the plunger and disposed between said pistons, one of said pistons controlling the iiow of lubricant to the lubricant-chamber, and the other or' said pistons provided with a valve movable with respect thereto, said valve controlling the How ol lubricant to the parts to be lubricated, whereby as one of said pistons closes communication between the` reservoir or cup and the lubricant-chamber, the said valve moves with respect to the other piston to open communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated.

In a lubricating device, the reservoir or cup for holding' a suitable lubricant, a tu be extended thereirom, a plunger movable in said tube and provided with two rigidly-colmected pistons and a lubricant-chamber, one oi said pistons controlling' the iiow ol lubricant to the lubricant-chamber, and the other of said pistons provided with means for controlling.;l the flow oi. lubricant from the luln'icant-chamber to the parts to be lubricated, and air ducts or inlets leading to thelubricant-chamber only when said chamber is in position to discharge lubricant.

4L. In a lubricatingdevice, the combination oi a reservoir or cup tor holding` a suitable lubricant, a tube extended from said reservoir or cup and having' an enlarged portion or passage-way, a plunger movable in said tube and provided with a pistou Afor closing communi-` cation between the reservoir or cup and said tube, said plunger being' provided with a lubricant-chamber exterior thereto, a second piston carried by the plunger in l'ixed relation to the first-mentioned piston and a valve movable with relation thereto to control communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated, devices normally act ing to maintain the plunger in position to cause said lirst-na1ned piston to close commu` nication between the reservoir or cup and lubricantcha1nber, said plunger and valve being movable by Huid-pressure in opposition to said devices to establish communication between the reservoir or cup and lubricant-chamber and close communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated.

- 5. In a lubricating' device, the combination of a reservoir or cup for holding' a suitable lubricant, atube extended from said reservoir or cup, a plunger movable in said tube and provided with a head for closing communication between the reservoir or cup and said tube, said plunger being provided with an exterior lubricant-chamber, an enlarged head fixed to theplunger below the exterior' lubricant-chamber, a valve carried by the enlarged head and movable with relation thereto to control communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated, said tube being IOO IIO

provided with perforations which lead to the lubricant-chamber only when the plunger is in position to discharge lubricant to the parts to be lubricated.

6. In a lubricating device` the combination of a reservoir or cup for holding a suitable lubricant, a tube extended therefrom, a plunger comprising two pistons and a stem rigidly connecting the same, said plunger being provided with an exterior lubricant-chamber disposed between said pistons, one of said pistons adapted to control communication between the reservoir or cup and lubricant-chamber, and the other of said pistons being provided with a valve for controlling communication between the exterior lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated.

7. In a lubricating device, the combination of a reservoir or cup for holding a suitable lubricant, a tube extended therefrom, a plunger comprising two pistons and a stem rigidly connecting the same, said plunger being provided with an exterior lubricant-chamber disposed between said pistons, means normally acting upon said plunger to cause one of said pistons to close communication between the reservoir or cup and the lubricant-chamber, a valve carried by the other piston to control communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated, said valve adapted to be seated by duid-pressure to close communication between the exterior lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated, and the plunger being movable by fluid-pressure in opposition to said means for opening com munication between the reservoir or cup and lubricant-chamber.

8. In a lubricating device, the combination of a reservoir or cup for holding a suitable lubricant, a tube extended therefrom, a plunger movable in said tube and provided with two pistons, and an exterior lubricant-chamber disposed between said heads, one of said pistons being provided with a passage-way leading from the exterior lubricant-chamber through the piston, a valve movable with respect to said piston for opening and closing said passage-way, a spring acting upon the plunger to normally maintain the same in position to cause one of said pistons to shut off communication between the reservoir or cup and lubricant-chamber, said plunger being movable in said tube by Huid-pressure in opposition to said spring to open communication between the exterior lubricant-chamber and reservoir or cup, said fiuidepressure acting at such time to cause said valve to close the piston passage-way to interrupt communication between the lubricant-chamber and parts to be lubricated.

9. In a lubricating device, the reservoir or cup for holding a suitable lubricant, a tube extended from said reservoir or cup, means disposed within said tube for automatically discharging a lubricant to the parts to be lubricated, a coupling disposed within said tube and limiting the movement of said means, said coupling being provided with an external channel for a lubricant, holes leading from said channel below said means to the parts to be lubricated, and means for supplying additional lubricant to said channel as desired.

10. The combination of the casing, the relief-valve, lubricant-cup, and feeder operated by the relief-valve and having an uninclosed or unobstructed portion in contact with the lubricant in the cup for feeding graphite or other lubricant to the valves and cylinders while drifting, substantially as set forth.

il. In a lubricator, the combination of the lubricant-cup, a casing below the cup, a reliefvalve operating in the casing, and a feeder carried by the valve for conducting the lubricant from the cup to the casing and operating directly in connection with the lubricant in the cup, substantially as sct forth.

12. The combination with the casing, and

the lubricant-cup, of the valve operating in the casing, and the feeder or stem carried by thevalve and movable therewith to a position in which it will project into the lubricant-cup and adapted to receive lubricant from the cup in one position of the valve and to discharge such lubricant to the'casing in the other position of the valve, the feeder operating directly in connection with the lubricant in the cup, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we afx our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN E CAMPBELL. JOSEPH BERG. Vitnesses:

B. E. SCOTT, J. E. CoA'rns. 

